Armies of the world 2024, November

Armed Oceania: Do Pacific Islands have armies?

Armed Oceania: Do Pacific Islands have armies?

About Oceania little is spoken and written in the Russian media. Therefore, the average Russian has practically no idea of either history, or the current political situation in the countries of Oceania, or even more so about the military component in the life of the region. In this article, we

RF against NATO. The role of aircraft carriers in a nuclear conflict

RF against NATO. The role of aircraft carriers in a nuclear conflict

Recently, an extremely interesting article appeared on VO - "Dear Khrushchev or how dangerous American aircraft carriers will be for Russia." The conclusions were that, taking into account modern detection systems and in the presence of the latest cruise missiles, the Russian Federation has the ability to reliably protect its shores from

Japanese military targets on Google Earth satellite imagery

Japanese military targets on Google Earth satellite imagery

After the defeat in World War II, Japan was banned from the creation of the armed forces. In 1947, the Constitution of Japan was adopted, which legally enshrined Japan's refusal to participate in military conflicts. In particular, in Chapter II, which is called "Refusal of War", it says: Sincerely striving for

India's defense potential in Google earth imagery. Part 1

India's defense potential in Google earth imagery. Part 1

According to the Stockholm Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), India's defense spending in 2015 amounted to $ 55.5 billion. According to this indicator, India is in sixth place, slightly behind the UK. While India's military budget is $ 15 billion less than Russia, this

Defense potential of the DPRK in Google Earth images

Defense potential of the DPRK in Google Earth images

On July 26, Voennoye Obozreniye published the publication Military Objects of the Republic of Korea on Google Earth Satellite Images, which provided a brief overview of the military potential of the Republic of Korea and provided satellite photographs of South Korean military installations provided by Google earth. Pictures

Military facilities of the Republic of Korea on Google earth satellite imagery

Military facilities of the Republic of Korea on Google earth satellite imagery

The Republic of Korea (South Korea), according to the Stockholm Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), is among the top ten countries in defense spending. The South Korean military budget in 2015 was $ 36.4 billion, for comparison, Russian defense spending over the same period is estimated at

NATO air defense system in Europe. Part 2

NATO air defense system in Europe. Part 2

In addition to the deep modernization of existing anti-aircraft systems in the first half of the 80s, the NATO countries adopted newly developed air defense systems, created on the basis of modern achievements in the field of radar, information technology and rocketry. New anti-aircraft systems

NATO air defense system in Europe. Part 1

NATO air defense system in Europe. Part 1

After the start of the Cold War and the formation of the North Atlantic Alliance, the countries that make up it were faced with the question of ensuring the air defense of facilities and military contingents located in Western Europe. In the mid-50s, the territory of the Federal Republic of Germany, Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and

Air parade in honor of the 90th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain

Air parade in honor of the 90th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain

On June 11, 2016, London hosted a traditional military parade in honor of the birthday of Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain, in which more than 1,600 Royal Guards and Horse Guards took part. A flotilla of ships sailed along the Thames, and planes flew over Buckingham Palace

Prospects for the development of the Air Force of the third world countries

Prospects for the development of the Air Force of the third world countries

The combat experience gained in recent decades clearly demonstrates that air supremacy is the key to victory. Aviation has become a means capable of turning the tide of a war even in the event of multiple enemy superiority in tanks, artillery and manpower. However, modern

The current state of the air defense system of the Syrian Arab Republic

The current state of the air defense system of the Syrian Arab Republic

Before the start of the civil war in the Syrian Arab Republic (SAR), this country had a fairly strong air defense system, built according to Soviet patterns. It relied on a network of surveillance radar stations (radars) with a continuous radar field over the entire territory

US overseas military bases in Google Earth imagery. Part 4

US overseas military bases in Google Earth imagery. Part 4

As already mentioned, the United States views the Japanese Islands as its unsinkable aircraft carrier and a foothold in the Far East. American military bases in the "Land of the Rising Sun" are of particular value due to their proximity to the Far Eastern borders of Russia and China

US overseas military bases in Google Earth imagery. Part 2

US overseas military bases in Google Earth imagery. Part 2

The United States has a very close patronage of the Middle East region. The area is home to a number of military bases and defense facilities with large military contingents. The UAE, 32 kilometers south of Abu Dhabi, is home to the large Al Dhafra Air Base

US overseas military bases in Google earth imagery. Part 3

US overseas military bases in Google earth imagery. Part 3

A very significant number of US military installations are located in the Asia-Pacific region. This primarily applies to South Korea and Japan, where large American military contingents are deployed. But other countries are not deprived of attention either. So, about halfway between Australia

US missile ranges. Part 1

US missile ranges. Part 1

On February 6, 2016, a controversial publication was published on "Military Review": "Another successful test of the advanced GBI anti-missile" (more details here: Another successful test of the advanced GBI anti-missile). In this article, in addition to interesting technical details, there is also

US missile ranges. Part 2

US missile ranges. Part 2

Tests of the naval component of the American missile defense system are being carried out at the Barking Sands Pacific Missile Range of the US Navy. It was founded in 1966 after the transfer of the Air Force base located here to the Navy. The main onshore infrastructure of the landfill is concentrated on the west coast of Kauai. On

British naval anti-aircraft missile systems. Part 1

British naval anti-aircraft missile systems. Part 1

During World War II, great attention was paid to the technical improvement of the air defense system in Great Britain. In particular, for anti-aircraft guns with a caliber of 94 mm and above, it was possible to create devices for an automated installation of a remote fuse and synchronous guidance of anti-aircraft guns

British MANPADS

British MANPADS

In the early 60s, the British company Shorts Missile Systems began developing a portable anti-aircraft missile system designed to protect small units from attacks by combat aircraft operating at low altitudes. Once again, the specialists of the company located in the Irish city

The capabilities of the PLA Navy to combat aircraft carrier strike groups. Part 2

The capabilities of the PLA Navy to combat aircraft carrier strike groups. Part 2

The task of countering foreign warships and landings in the coastal waters of the PRC and on the islands is entrusted to the Coastal Defense Forces of the PLA Navy and numerous missile boats. Each command of the fleet (Northern, Eastern and Southern) is operatively subordinate to the corresponding areas of the coastal

Traces of war on satellite images of Google Earth 2015

Traces of war on satellite images of Google Earth 2015

In 2014, there were more than 10 major armed conflicts in the world. Some of them can be seen on Google Earth images. Perhaps the most interesting for us are the pictures, which can be used to judge the scope of hostilities in the south-east of Ukraine. As you know, most of the population

American private aviation military companies

American private aviation military companies

Despite the recent strained relationship with the United States, the Americans still have a lot to learn. For example, patriotism and how to preserve material evidence of one's own and someone else's history. This publication will focus on aviation, and this time we will not dwell on samples

French nuclear forces

French nuclear forces

In 1952, France adopted a plan for the development of nuclear energy, which made it possible to create the necessary scientific and technological base. This plan was of an emphatically peaceful nature. After the end of World War II, the French government had no intention of creating its own nuclear

The state of the air defense of Ukraine

The state of the air defense of Ukraine

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, a powerful grouping of air force and air defense forces remained in Ukraine. By the time of the official creation of the Ukrainian Air Force in 1992, there were 4 air armies and one air defense army, 10 air divisions, 49 air regiments, 11 separate squadrons on its territory. A total of about 600 military

Venezuela's Rebel Aviation. Dedicated to Commander Hugo Chávez

Venezuela's Rebel Aviation. Dedicated to Commander Hugo Chávez

It is one year since March 5 in Caracas at the age of 58, the President of Venezuela, the head of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela, Hugo Rafaeel Chávez Friias, died. A real son of his homeland, carrying Indian and Creole blood, he was born into a family with long revolutionary traditions. Ancestor

China's military installations on Google Earth satellite imagery

China's military installations on Google Earth satellite imagery

Traditionally, the PRC authorities very harshly censor information regarding their armed forces. Unauthorized leaks in this area are suppressed by the most stringent methods. For example, a few years ago, a Chinese blogger was convicted for posting a photo of the new Chinese J-10 fighter on the Internet

Russian military potential on Google Earth satellite imagery

Russian military potential on Google Earth satellite imagery

Our country has always been the focus of Western intelligence services. In addition to undercover intelligence, much attention was paid to the collection of information using technical means.In addition to electronic scanning, from the end of the 40s, mass flights began over the territory of the USSR

Google Earth - the exposer of military secrets

Google Earth - the exposer of military secrets

About ten years ago, the Google search engine launched a unique project called Google Earth. Many parts of the earth's surface were available for viewing in high resolution using images taken from space. With the advent of information technology, we got at our disposal

US air defense

US air defense

The North American Air Defense Command (NORAD), which was created in 1957 as a result of bilateral agreements signed

Nuclear potential of the PRC: history and modernity. Part 2

Nuclear potential of the PRC: history and modernity. Part 2

In the past, the PRC leadership focused on ballistic missiles in the implementation of nuclear deterrence plans. In addition to strategic and tactical missile systems, the PLA Air Force has about a hundred Xian H-6 bombers - carriers of free-fall nuclear bombs. This is enough

Nuclear potential of the PRC: history and modernity. Part 1

Nuclear potential of the PRC: history and modernity. Part 1

Today, the PRC has the largest armed forces in the world. The most numerous ground forces on the planet, the Air Force and the Navy are receiving an ever-increasing stream of new models of equipment and weapons. The Chinese leadership does not hide that the result of the long-term reform of the PLA, which began in

US Naval Base Guantanamo Bay in Cuba

US Naval Base Guantanamo Bay in Cuba

After the defeat of Spain in the American-Spanish War of 1898, Cuba came under US influence. In fact, the Spanish colonialists were replaced by the Americans. American soldiers after the Spanish surrendered Santiago de Cuba, 1898 In 1903, an agreement was signed between the United States and the then Cuban authorities on the lease

NATO military potential in Europe in Google Earth imagery. Part 1

NATO military potential in Europe in Google Earth imagery. Part 1

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is a military-political bloc that unites most of the countries of Europe, the United States and Canada. It was founded on April 4, 1949 in order to "protect Europe from Soviet aggression." Since the beginning of the cold war

NATO military potential in Europe in Google Earth imagery. Part 3

NATO military potential in Europe in Google Earth imagery. Part 3

The armed forces of the other countries of the founders of the NATO "defensive bloc" - Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Norway, cannot be compared with the Turkish army. The total number of personnel of the armed forces of Belgium: 30 thousand people. In service with the ground forces: 106 tanks

Air Force and Air Defense of Saudi Arabia

Air Force and Air Defense of Saudi Arabia

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia possesses colossal reserves of hydrocarbons and is consistently among the exporting countries that determine world oil prices. Proven oil reserves amount to 260 billion barrels (24% of the world's proven oil reserves). Oil exports are the source

The US Army is the strongest in history (J. Kirby)

The US Army is the strongest in history (J. Kirby)

“I don’t think that in the entire history of mankind there has been a military force as capable, smart, strong, with such good leadership and resources as the US army today,” said US State Department spokesman John Kirby in response to a recent statement by the Russian president. Considering so many

Take Gotland in a couple of days. Swedish defense potential

Take Gotland in a couple of days. Swedish defense potential

The Swedes invented matches, dynamite, a ship's propeller, a primus stove, an adjustable wrench, a method of ultrasound echography and a pacemaker that saved millions of lives. Every day we use the Anders Celsius temperature scale, Tetrapack milk cartons and a Volvo seat belt

How much money the US Navy sawed. 2015-2016 biennium

How much money the US Navy sawed. 2015-2016 biennium

Comments to articles on the procurement of military equipment usually contain references to “cutting funds.” But, you must admit, it is difficult to “saw” millions if in three years it is already necessary to hand over a finished destroyer. As a result, last year, the US Navy received the following list of naval samples

Overview of the Turkish Air Force. Step back

Overview of the Turkish Air Force. Step back

Better a brave enemy than a prostitute friend (Turkish proverb) The most numerous and aggressive air force in the region. Downed Russian bomber and 1,306 violations of Greek airspace in eight months of this year. The eternal confrontation between Turks and Greeks does not negate the fact of membership

Is it easy to attack Britain?

Is it easy to attack Britain?

“We should help Argentina get the Falklands back.” - From comments on the Internet. Taking the disputed islands away from Britain will not be easy. To do this, you first have to deal with the British fleet, which in quantitative (and, more dangerous, in qualitative) aspects surpasses the navies of most countries

Iron kaput. An overview of the German naval forces

Iron kaput. An overview of the German naval forces

Die beste Beleuchtung des vorstehenden Weges sind manchmal die Brücken, die hinter dich glühen. (The best illumination of the road ahead is the flaming bridges behind.) Germany has twice lost its magnificent fleet, and, each time, rebuilt it again in record time. The fact is fast